British Columbia supports the richest hummingbird community in Canada, with five species occurring regularly across the province as residents or seasonal breeders. These are joined by a small number of additional species that appear only as rare visitors or exceptional vagrants, making hummingbird diversity in the province both unusually high and strongly shaped by seasonal and geographic factors. This guide provides identification notes and BC-specific context on habitat use, distribution, and seasonal occurrence for the hummingbirds you are most likely to encounter in the province.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Calypte anna
- Identification: Medium-sized, stocky hummingbird with bronzy-green upperparts, grayish underparts, a straight medium-length bill, and in adult males a rose-pink iridescent crown and throat.
- Where found: Restricted mainly to southwestern British Columbia, occurring year-round in coastal lowland regions, urban areas, and human-modified habitats.
- How to spot: Watch for hovering at feeders and flowers, listen for persistent scratchy songs from exposed perches, and observe steep courtship dives that end with a sharp, explosive sound.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); increasing and secure in British Columbia, with ongoing range expansion linked to urban environments and supplemental feeding.
The Anna’s Hummingbird is the most frequently encountered hummingbird in southwestern British Columbia and the only species that occurs regularly throughout the year in the province. It measures 10 to 11 centimeters (3.9 to 4.3 inches) in length and has a compact, stocky build with a straight, medium-length bill and relatively broad tail. Plumage shows bronzy-green upperparts and grayish underparts without rufous tones, and adult males are distinctive for their iridescent rose-pink crown and throat, which can appear dull in poor light but flash brightly in direct sun. The species’ ability to tolerate cool temperatures and exploit human-modified habitats has allowed it to establish a permanent foothold well north of its historical range.
In the field, Anna’s Hummingbirds are often detected by sound as much as by sight. Males sing persistently from exposed perches in trees, shrubs, or garden settings, producing a dry, metallic song that carries across open spaces. Individuals hover precisely at flowers and feeders and are strongly territorial, frequently chasing other hummingbirds. Courtship displays involve dramatic, steep aerial dives from high above the ground, ending with an abrupt pullout that produces a sharp, explosive chirp generated by the tail feathers. The diet consists primarily of nectar from a wide range of native and non-native flowering plants, supplemented by small insects and spiders taken in flight, from foliage, or from spider webs, even during winter in urban areas.
Within British Columbia, the Anna’s Hummingbird is largely confined to the southwest corner of the province. The species is resident in coastal lowland regions, with its core distribution centered on the Georgia Depression Ecoprovince, including the Lower Fraser Valley, southern and eastern Vancouver Island, and the southern Gulf Islands. Breeding has expanded steadily along the coast and is now established throughout much of this region. Occasional breeding-season records occur north along the coast as far as the mouth of the Stikine River. In the southern interior, the species occurs locally in valleys such as the Similkameen, with records in the Okanagan and Shuswap, though breeding there remains unconfirmed. The species is closely associated with low elevations and is uncommon or absent from higher-elevation and northern interior landscapes.
The Anna’s Hummingbird is increasing in abundance in British Columbia and is not considered a conservation concern. Atlas data indicate low to moderate detection rates even within its core range, reflecting localized distribution rather than scarcity. Population growth and range expansion are strongly linked to urbanization, the widespread planting of ornamental flowering plants, and the availability of sugar-water feeders. The species remains secure at the provincial and national scale, though continued monitoring is recommended as the proportion of the global population occurring in British Columbia increases.
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus rufus
- Identification: Small hummingbird with a slender bill and short wings, strongly rufous overall in adult males with an orange-red iridescent throat; females appear greener with rufous in the tail and flanks.
- Where found: Widespread across much of British Columbia during the breeding season, from coastal lowlands to interior valleys and montane landscapes, with no regular winter presence.
- How to spot: Watch for an exceptionally territorial hummingbird aggressively defending flowers and feeders, listen for sharp chip notes during chases, and note the male’s distinctive metallic wing whine in flight.
- Conservation status: Near Threatened (IUCN); declining in British Columbia in line with long-term national and continental trends.
The Rufous Hummingbird is the most widespread breeding hummingbird in British Columbia and one of the province’s most familiar and anticipated spring arrivals. Adults measure 7 to 9 centimeters (2.8 to 3.5 inches) in length and show a compact body with short wings and a narrow bill, giving the species a fast, darting appearance. Plumage is striking in males, which are largely warm rufous with a bright orange-red throat, while females are greener overall with more subdued rufous tones concentrated in the tail and flanks. The species’ small size, intense coloration, and energetic movements make it conspicuous wherever it occurs.
Field identification is often driven by behavior. Rufous Hummingbirds are highly aggressive and routinely chase other hummingbirds away from feeding sites, both at flowers and at feeders. They give frequent sharp chip notes during territorial disputes, with harsher calls during prolonged chases. Males produce a distinctive metallic whine with their wings in flight, particularly during display flights and aggressive interactions. Feeding centers on nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, supplemented by small insects taken by aerial hawking or gleaned from vegetation, and the species also exploits sap wells created by sapsuckers when floral resources are limited.
In British Columbia, the species breeds across most of the province, from sea level to montane elevations, with highest abundance in coastal and southern regions. It is common in the Georgia Depression and the Coast and Mountains Ecoprovinces and occurs widely on Vancouver Island, the mainland coast, and adjacent interior valleys. Breeding extends through much of southern British Columbia and occurs locally northward, with recent evidence supporting range expansion into parts of northeastern British Columbia. Rufous Hummingbirds occupy a broad range of habitats, including open woodlands, forest edges, riparian corridors, gardens, parks, and alpine meadows. The species is strongly migratory, arriving on the south coast in spring and moving north and upslope as flowering progresses, before departing the province by mid to late summer. Only exceptionally rare winter records exist in British Columbia.
Despite its broad distribution and familiar presence, the Rufous Hummingbird has undergone substantial declines in British Columbia since the 1970s. Long-term monitoring through national surveys indicates sustained decreases across all Canadian regions where the species breeds, including the province. The causes of decline are not fully understood but are thought to involve changes to breeding, migratory, and wintering habitats, as well as reduced availability of flowering resources along migration routes. Given that a large proportion of the global population passes through or breeds in Canada, continued monitoring and targeted conservation action in British Columbia are considered important for the species’ long-term persistence.
Calliope Hummingbird
Selasphorus calliope
- Identification: Tiny hummingbird with green upperparts, a short straight bill, and in adult males a distinctive throat of separate magenta-red rays forming a starburst pattern.
- Where found: Breeds mainly in the interior of British Columbia, occupying open forests, shrublands, and streamside habitats in valleys and montane landscapes, with little regular presence on the coast.
- How to spot: Look for a very small hummingbird perched atop shrubs or low trees in interior valleys, or listen for sharp zinging sounds during U-shaped display dives in breeding areas.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); generally stable in British Columbia, with regional variation but no major conservation concerns at present.
The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest hummingbird found in British Columbia and also the smallest regularly occurring bird in the province. The species measures 7 to 8 centimeters (2.8 to 3.1 inches) in length and appears compact, with short wings, a fine bill, and a slightly hunched posture when perched. Upperparts are green, and the overall structure is notably delicate even by hummingbird standards. Adult males are distinctive when seen well, showing a unique starburst-patterned throat formed by narrow magenta-red rays, while females lack this feature and appear plainer, with a clean pale throat and subtler markings.
In the field, Calliope Hummingbirds are often detected by their display behavior. During the breeding season, males perform conspicuous U-shaped aerial dives above open habitat, producing sharp, zinging sounds and a brief buzzing effect generated during the display. Away from these flights, the species is generally quiet, giving soft chipping or twittering notes during interactions. Individuals forage low over flowering plants and along forest edges, taking nectar from a variety of flowers and supplementing their diet with small insects captured in flight or taken from vegetation, including frequent use of sap wells created by sapsuckers.
Within the province, the Calliope Hummingbird is primarily an interior breeder. It occurs throughout much of the southern and central interior, extending north to the Bulkley Valley in the west and to the Peace River region in the east. The species is most abundant in warm interior valleys of the Southern Interior Ecoprovince, with additional concentrations in the Columbia and Kootenay regions and localized populations in parts of the central interior. It favors open woodlands, shrub-dominated slopes, forest edges, regenerating burns or logged areas, and riparian corridors, typically at low to moderate elevations, though breeding also occurs locally at higher elevations. Regular breeding has not been documented on the coast, and coastal occurrences are exceptional. The species is strongly migratory, departing the province after breeding and wintering in western Mexico.
Calliope Hummingbird populations in British Columbia are considered stable overall, based on long-term monitoring. National survey data show little net change in abundance since the 1970s, though trends vary regionally, with moderate declines in parts of south-central British Columbia and increases in southeastern regions and the Rockies. The species is not currently regarded as a conservation concern in the province, but continued monitoring is recommended given its reliance on interior habitats and its long-distance migratory strategy, which links breeding success in British Columbia to conditions far beyond the province.
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus alexandri
- Identification: Small, slender hummingbird with dull bronze-green upperparts, pale underparts, a straight to slightly decurved black bill, and in adult males a velvety black throat bordered below by a narrow band of iridescent violet.
- Where found: Localized breeder in southern interior British Columbia, occurring mainly in valley bottoms with riparian woodland, orchards, gardens, and residential areas.
- How to spot: Look for a small hummingbird hovering steadily at flowers or feeders, often perching high on exposed branches between feeding bouts, and listen for the low-pitched hum of the wings in flight.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); increasing in British Columbia, with a small but expanding provincial population.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird is a localized but increasingly regular breeding species in southern interior British Columbia, marking the northern edge of its continental range. It measures 8 to 9 centimeters (3.1 to 3.5 inches) in length and has a slim build, narrow chest, and straight to slightly downcurved bill suited to a wide variety of flowers. Upperparts are dull metallic bronze-green, contrasting with paler underparts. Adult males show a subtle but distinctive throat pattern, with a velvety black chin and upper throat and a narrow band of violet iridescence along the lower edge that is often visible only in good light.
In the field, Black-chinned Hummingbirds are often recognized by structure and behavior rather than bold coloration. Individuals hover steadily while feeding and frequently retreat backward while still in flight. Between feeding bouts, they commonly perch at the tops of bare or exposed branches, scanning for insects or rivals. Wingbeats produce a noticeably low-pitched hum, and birds engaged in aggressive interactions give sharp chip notes or harsher chattering calls. Feeding is centered on nectar, supplemented by small insects and spiders taken in flight, from vegetation, or from spider webs.
In British Columbia, the species is confined primarily to the southern interior valleys. The core of the provincial population occurs in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys, with breeding now documented more widely in the Shuswap, Thompson-Nicola, Creston Valley, and Southern Rocky Mountain Trench regions. Scattered records extend into parts of the Cariboo-Chilcotin, reflecting ongoing northward expansion. Black-chinned Hummingbirds are most often found at low to mid elevations, up to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet), and are strongly associated with riparian woodlands, orchards, gardens, and residential areas. All British Columbia breeding records are tied closely to human-modified habitats and areas with reliable water and flowering plants. The species is migratory, arriving in late spring and departing by mid to late summer, with no regular winter presence in the province.
The Black-chinned Hummingbird population in British Columbia is small but increasing. Long-term national monitoring indicates a substantial rise in abundance in Canada since the 1970s, driven largely by expansion at the northern edge of the range. In British Columbia, the species’ continued spread appears linked to the availability of riparian vegetation, urban gardens, and feeders in interior valleys. Although there are no current conservation concerns at the provincial scale, the species’ restricted distribution and reliance on valley-bottom habitats underscore the importance of maintaining riparian corridors and green spaces as the population continues to expand.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
- Identification: Small hummingbird with metallic green upperparts, pale underparts, a slender slightly downcurved bill, and in adult males a brilliant iridescent red throat.
- Where found: Very rare and localized breeder in northeastern British Columbia, occurring mainly in lowland forested landscapes with gardens or feeding stations.
- How to spot: Watch for fast, direct flight with frequent hovering at flowers or feeders, aggressive chases of other hummingbirds, and rapid squeaky or chipping calls near feeding sites.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); widespread and increasing nationally, but scarce and Blue-listed in British Columbia due to limited distribution and low documented numbers.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a rare and highly localized species in British Columbia, marking the extreme western edge of its continental breeding range. It measures 7 to 9 centimeters (2.8 to 3.5 inches) in length and has a compact body, short tail, and narrow wings adapted for precise hovering flight. Upperparts are metallic green, contrasting with pale underparts, and adult males show a vivid red throat that can appear dark when not reflecting light. Although this species is among the most familiar hummingbirds in eastern North America, its occurrence in British Columbia is exceptional and often noteworthy.
In the field, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are detected primarily by their flight behavior and activity at feeding sites. Individuals fly rapidly and directly between flowers or feeders, stopping abruptly to hover and often reversing or shifting position with fine control. They frequently defend nectar sources, chasing intruders with sharp, rapid wingbeats and high-pitched squeaky or chipping calls. The wings produce a steady humming sound in flight. Feeding centers on floral nectar, supplemented by small insects and spiders captured in midair, taken from foliage, or collected from spider webs.
Within British Columbia, the species is almost entirely confined to the northeastern part of the province. Records are concentrated in the Boreal Plains Ecoprovince, with occasional occurrences near its margins in adjacent ecoprovinces. The Ruby-throated Hummingbird uses habitats similar to those occupied elsewhere in its range, including forest edges, clearings, gardens, streamside areas, and residential yards, provided that flowering plants or feeders are available. It appears to avoid extensive closed conifer forest and higher elevations. Most provincial records involve repeated observations at feeding stations, and breeding has been documented only locally. The species is a summer visitor to British Columbia and migrates south to Mexico and Central America outside the breeding season.
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird remains poorly known in British Columbia due to its rarity, detection challenges, and limited survey coverage. Provincial abundance is low, and population trends within the province are unknown. This scarcity has led to its Blue-listed status in British Columbia, reflecting restricted range rather than documented decline. In contrast, long-term monitoring elsewhere in Canada shows that the species has increased overall since the 1970s and remains within national population goals. Continued reporting and documentation, particularly at feeders in northeastern British Columbia, are important for improving understanding of its true distribution and status within the province.
Costa’s Hummingbird
Calypte costae
- Identification: Small, compact hummingbird with short wings and tail, green upperparts, and in adult males a flared iridescent purple crown and throat that extend along the sides of the neck.
- Where found: Rare in British Columbia, recorded mainly in coastal lowland regions and occasionally inland, most often at feeders or flowering shrubs.
- How to spot: Watch carefully at hummingbird feeders and flowering plants for an unusually small hummingbird, and listen for very high-pitched whistling sounds given by adult males during brief display flights.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); rare and irregular, with British Columbia records representing vagrancy rather than a breeding population.
The Costa’s Hummingbird is a rare and irregular visitor to British Columbia and is best known in the province as a striking desert species far outside its normal range. Adults measure 8 to 9 centimeters (3.1 to 3.5 inches) in length and appear compact and short-bodied, with short wings and a short tail that give the bird a hunched profile when perched. Adult males are unmistakable when seen well, showing a vivid purple crown and an elongated, flared purple throat that extends laterally along the sides of the neck, while females and immatures are much plainer, with green upperparts and pale underparts that closely resemble other small hummingbirds.
In British Columbia, Costa’s Hummingbirds are typically detected at close range, most often at hummingbird feeders or flowering plants in residential settings. Adult males may produce very high-pitched whistling sounds, either while perched or during brief looping or U-shaped flights, though prolonged display behavior is uncommon in the province. Individuals hover low among shrubs and flowers and feed readily at feeders, supplementing nectar with small insects taken in flight or from vegetation. Most provincial records involve brief stays, although a few individuals have lingered for extended periods when food sources were consistently available.
The species does not breed in British Columbia and occurs as a vagrant. Provincial records are concentrated in coastal and near-coastal regions, including the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, and surrounding lowland areas, with fewer records from the interior. Most observations occur between April and July, coinciding with post-breeding dispersal of adult males from breeding areas farther south. Interior records are scarce and likely underreported due to lower observer coverage and seasonal absence of feeders in colder regions. The species remains possible anywhere in the province but is most likely to be detected in areas with regular hummingbird feeding activity.
The Costa’s Hummingbird remains rare in British Columbia, but the number of documented records has increased over recent decades. This rise likely reflects a combination of increased observer effort, widespread use of hummingbird feeders, and broader northward dispersal patterns that mirror trends seen in other hummingbird species. The provincial population is not established, and all records represent vagrancy rather than local breeding. Continued documentation, particularly with photographs, is important for tracking future changes in occurrence and assessing whether the species’ presence in British Columbia continues to increase.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Selasphorus platycercus
- Identification: Medium-sized hummingbird with iridescent green upperparts, a long straight bill, and a longer-bodied, longer-winged build, with adult males showing a rose-magenta throat.
- Where found: Very rare in southeastern British Columbia, with only a small number of isolated records and no evidence of breeding.
- How to spot: Listen for a sharp, high-pitched metallic wing trill during flight, and watch carefully at flowers or feeders for a hummingbird that appears larger and longer-winged than other local Selasphorus species.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); accidental and very rare in British Columbia, with all records representing vagrancy rather than local breeding.
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird is an exceptional and rarely encountered species in British Columbia, with any confirmed sighting considered a major highlight for local birders. It measures 9 to 10 centimeters (3.5 to 3.9 inches) in length and has a longer-bodied, longer-winged appearance than most other hummingbird species, giving it a less compact and less stubby profile. Upperparts are iridescent green, and adult males show a rounded rose-magenta throat that lacks the lateral extensions seen in Calypte hummingbirds. Females are plainer, with a pale throat and subdued markings, making careful attention to structure and behavior important for identification.
In the field, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are most reliably detected by sound. Adult males produce a high-pitched, metallic wing trill generated by modified primary feathers, a shrill buzzing or whistling noise that carries across open areas. This sound is given frequently during territorial or patrol flights in breeding habitats farther south and remains the most distinctive cue when a male is encountered as a vagrant. Individuals hover steadily at flowers or feeders and often return repeatedly to favored perches above surrounding vegetation. Feeding centers on nectar, supplemented by small insects captured in flight or gleaned from plants.
In British Columbia, the Broad-tailed Hummingbird is an accidental vagrant with only a small number of confirmed records. Most occurrences have been documented in the southeastern interior of the province, particularly within the Southern Interior Mountains Ecoprovince, including the Kootenay and upper Columbia River regions, though at least one coastal record exists. All provincial records involve single individuals observed at hummingbird feeders, and there is no evidence of breeding in British Columbia. The nearest known breeding populations occur several hundred kilometers south of the province in the Rocky Mountains of the western United States, and all British Columbia occurrences are best interpreted as overshooting migrants rather than regular seasonal visitors.
The Broad-tailed Hummingbird remains extremely rare in British Columbia, with only a handful of confirmed records spanning several decades. Its provincial status has not changed since it was first recorded in the mid-1990s, and there is no indication of established residency or northward range expansion into the province. Most records coincide with spring and early summer movement periods, consistent with vagrancy from populations farther south. Continued documentation, including photographic evidence, is important for confirming future occurrences and for distinguishing this species from similar hummingbirds or hybrids during brief and unexpected appearances.
Where and When to See Hummingbirds in British Columbia
Hummingbirds in British Columbia occur across a broad range of habitats and seasons, from year-round residents along the coast to widespread summer breeders in interior valleys and montane landscapes, and finally to rare migrants and exceptional vagrants that appear only under specific conditions. Most observations take place between spring and late summer, when flowering peaks and breeding activity is highest, though a small number of species remain present through winter in mild coastal regions where food sources persist.
Rather than being tied to fixed hotspots, hummingbird presence in the province is shaped by timing, elevation, and the availability of nectar and insects at a very local scale. Gardens, forest edges, riparian corridors, and open woodlands often provide the best opportunities, especially where native or ornamental flowers and feeders are maintained. While common species can be found predictably with careful observation, encounters with the rarest hummingbirds remain unpredictable highlights, rewarding patience, attention to detail, and an awareness of seasonal patterns across the province.